Sport

Wolves aiming to match Eagles record

DIRECTOR of basketball Paul James has challenged his Worcester Wolves team to match the points total of champions-elect Newcastle Eagles.

Wolves can reach 56 points if they win their five remaining games, the first of which is at London Lions tonight (7.30pm).

Leaders Newcastle are expected to seal the title with victory in their last two fixtures against lowly Surrey United and Birmingham Knights this weekend.

The Eagles would also finish on 56 points but win the league having won two of the three meetings against Wolves this season.

While the best Worcester can realistically hope for is second, James wants his players to finish the regular campaign with flourish.

"Our focus is to try to win every game that is left to be won," he said. "How great would it be to be able to say that we finished on the same record as Newcastle and the only reason why we lost the title is because we lost 2-1 against them. That would be a great thing to try to do if we can."

Wolves have beaten London three times this season, twice in the league and once in the BBL Trophy.

A narrow 63-62 victory at the Copper Box in October was followed by a 93-64 success at the University Arena in December.

Wolves also began their road to Trophy glory with a 83-72 win in the capital at the start of February.

James added: "London are a funny team, they're very tough on their own floor and they really get after you, they are aggressive and play hard.

"We know what to expect, we've played them enough times this year and hopefully we will be well prepared for them."

Forward Daniel Belgrave is expected to be out for a week with a hamstring strain but has not shown any ill effects from the neck injury his sustained playing for the university last week.